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Building a Golden Age DC collection from the ground up
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Started by Cosmic Boy,

282 posts in this topic

Cosmic Boy

Cosmic Boy

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:gossip:WARNING: This thread is highly introspective and incredibly self-indulgent in nature. Turn back now if you dislike that stuff.

 

Some of you may recall that I went through a slight “collecting crisis” this past summer. After twenty years of hardcore collecting, I felt as though I had reached a crossroads. My passion for collecting was waning, I was expecting my first child (now a beautiful 4 month old girl that lights up my life), and I was at a general loss with how to balance my collecting life with my real life.

 

At first, I considered dumping all of my Silver & Bronze DC comics in favor of chasing those few remaining Silver Age Marvel grails I wanted (needed). But somewhere along the way, I realized that route was taking the easy way out. My interest in the hobby hadn't grown stale because I couldn't get everything I wanted, it had grown stale because I could. Everything I wanted was so easy to find if the cash was there.

 

So I took a long look in the mirror, and tried to reconcile who I was now in relation to who I was when I first started collecting. I tried to remember the joy of being a child again. Watching Superman: The Movie for the first time; staring at “Crisis on Infinite Earths” issues on the spinning rack at the drugstore in my small town; checking out old copies of the Overstreet Price Guide from the local library; meeting Mart Nodell at my first comic-con at the old Thunderbird Hotel in Bloomington, Minnesota; and placing my first winning bid on a mid-grade copy of Batman #181 in the early days of Ebay.

 

But the one thing that stood out to me the most was the chase. It's what we all live for here, albeit in different ways and to different magnitudes. Nobody's chase is the same. We all have different priorities, budgets and lives. But to me, it was suddenly all so clear.

 

I flashed back to being nine years old again, gazing wide eyed at pictures of classic DC Golden Age covers in those long unreturned and overdue Overstreets. At the time, I had no concept of what the 1930s or '40s was. It was Ancient Rome for all I knew. But the purity of the mythology stood out to me from an early age, and this past summer I realized that it still does to this day.

 

Their innovation, colors, vibrancy... Golden Age DC comics are the backbone of this genre. And it's taken me a long time to realize I was denying myself that fact. But now, I truly believe that they are capable of reinvigorating my collecting spirit. So in short, that's what I'm going to chase.

 

Before a few weeks ago, I owned zero Golden Age books. I've had a few in the past, but they've long since changed hands. I've dumped a lot of my collection in an effort to build some seed money for this endeavor. I am literally going to build a Golden Age DC collection from the ground up. So I thought it might be fun (if anybody was interested) for you guys (and gals) to come along for the ride. I'm going to use this thread to document what I buy and how I put this collection together.

 

Recently, I bought the first piece of this collection: Detective Comics #40 (CGC Qualified 2.0). Some of you have seen it already in other threads. I'm very excited to show it off as well as each new piece that comes into this collection. My budget doesn't allow for high grade books, and there probably won't be any mesmerizing finds on display here. But you will get to watch a collection being built from the ground up, no matter how long it takes.

 

Thanks for any who choose to indulge me and my quest.

 

--CosmicBoy

 

 

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Cosmic Boy

Cosmic Boy

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Thanks! I think I'm just at a point in my life where I relate better to the simplicity of the infancy of the genre. It really resonates with me right now. For some reason, I've gone from Spider-Man to Slam Bradley. It's inexplicable. But it is what it is.

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Point Five

Point Five

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The first (and so far only) book in my Golden Age DC collection.

 

DETECTIVE COMICS #40 (1st Joker Cover) (CGC Qualified 2.0)

 

Great start! :applause:

 

Their innovation, colors, vibrancy... Golden Age DC comics are the backbone of this genre. And it's taken me a long time to realize I was denying myself that fact. But now, I truly believe that they are capable of reinvigorating my collecting spirit. So in short, that's what I'm going to chase.

I said much the same thing some 12 or so years ago. In that time, I've amassed a po'boy collection of early Actions, Supermans, Detectives and Batmans. They are awesomely cool books that I'm thrilled to own in any condition... and indeed, my screen name was chosen as a wink and a nod to that philosophy. I still get excited when a new one rolls in.

 

Looking forward to watching your collection grow!

 

 

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Cosmic Boy

Cosmic Boy

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The first (and so far only) book in my Golden Age DC collection.

 

DETECTIVE COMICS #40 (1st Joker Cover) (CGC Qualified 2.0)

 

Great start! :applause:

 

Their innovation, colors, vibrancy... Golden Age DC comics are the backbone of this genre. And it's taken me a long time to realize I was denying myself that fact. But now, I truly believe that they are capable of reinvigorating my collecting spirit. So in short, that's what I'm going to chase.

I said much the same thing some 12 or so years ago. In that time, I've amassed a po'boy collection of early Actions, Supermans, Detectives and Batmans. They are awesomely cool books that I'm thrilled to own in any condition... and indeed, my screen name was chosen as a wink and a nod to that philosophy. I still get excited when a new one rolls in.

 

Looking forward to watching your collection grow!

 

 

I'm right there with you now! I'm all in. Even willing to sell my AF #15 if something really tasty comes up. Say, a More Fun #73 for example. Probably my ultimate grail book alongside Action #13 (which I'll never sniff).

 

Stay tuned tomorrow as I've got a neat little piece coming into the collection!

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ciorac

ciorac

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I :luhv: this post, your new direction, and I look forward with great eagerness to watching from the sidelines as your collection comes together

 

:applause:

 

Thanks, Bill. Now if only I hadn't unloaded that AA #25. ;)

 

lol

 

It is safe and sound where it is

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adamstrange

adamstrange

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Great introduction! Good luck with your quest. (thumbs u

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mrmitchgro

mrmitchgro

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I think a lot of collectors our age (I'm assuming you're early 30s, as I am) have had similar trajectories. I put together a complete X-Men run when I got back into collecting since that's what I read as a kid, but I found as you did that buying SA books is just a matter of bankroll size, where the "thrill of the chase" doesn't really exist.

 

Since I started putting together my EC run, I've been much more satisfied as a collector, and while it's frustrating sometimes (i.e. if cheetah is missing the same Tales from the Crypt issue as you, just wait for the next copy to show up in a couple of years lol ) I feel like it's kept me more engaged in the hobby in the long run.

 

So congrats on the new focus! I don't think you'll regret it.

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Cosmic Boy

Cosmic Boy

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Have you decided on a focus? Or is it too early to decide.

 

Interesting question. Superman and Batman for sure. But I'd like to pick up all of the minor and major keys I can afford.

 

I know I'll never be able to sniff my biggest grails: Action #1, 7, 13 and 'Tec #27, 29, 31, 33. Well, at least not until I win the lottery.

 

My goal was to raise 10k in seed money and see where that took me. Looking for value and depth, but not picking anything up at random to start with. I want to start with the most important books I can get a hold of on my budget.

 

My Realistic Top 10:

 

1. More Fun #73

2. Action #23

3. More Fun #55

4. Adventure #61

5. All-American #61

6. Superman #3

7. Superman #4

8. Adventure #48

9. All-American #25

10. New York World's Fair 1939 (might be out of my budget)

 

A healthy smattering! (thumbs u

 

 

 

 

 

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Cosmic Boy

Cosmic Boy

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I think a lot of collectors our age (I'm assuming you're early 30s, as I am) have had similar trajectories. I put together a complete X-Men run when I got back into collecting since that's what I read as a kid, but I found as you did that buying SA books is just a matter of bankroll size, where the "thrill of the chase" doesn't really exist.

 

Since I started putting together my EC run, I've been much more satisfied as a collector, and while it's frustrating sometimes (i.e. if cheetah is missing the same Tales from the Crypt issue as you, just wait for the next copy to show up in a couple of years lol ) I feel like it's kept me more engaged in the hobby in the long run.

 

So congrats on the new focus! I don't think you'll regret it.

 

Really good to know! Pretty much echoes my situation. I see all these Hulk #271's and Walking Dead #1's reaching ridiculous prices, and I wonder what's it all for. And yep, we're in the same age bracket. Good to know I won't be the only Golden Age collector in that range!

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ciorac

ciorac

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Have you decided on a focus? Or is it too early to decide.

 

Interesting question. Superman and Batman for sure. But I'd like to pick up all of the minor and major keys I can afford.

 

I know I'll never be able to sniff my biggest grails: Action #1, 7, 13 and 'Tec #27, 29, 31, 33. Well, at least not until I win the lottery.

 

My goal was to raise 10k in seed money and see where that took me. Looking for value and depth, but not picking anything up at random to start with. I want to start with the most important books I can get a hold of on my budget.

 

My Realistic Top 10:

 

1. More Fun #73

2. Action #23

3. More Fun #55

4. Adventure #61

5. All-American #61

6. Superman #3

7. Superman #4

8. Adventure #48

9. All-American #25

10. New York World's Fair 1939 (might be out of my budget)

 

A healthy smattering! (thumbs u

 

 

 

 

 

Great list! I like each and every one of them

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AnkurJ

AnkurJ

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Great start with a great book!

Your list of books is very well within reach.

 

I will give you a few pointers:

1. Don't worry about what others think about the books you buy, everyone has different tastes

2. Be Patient

3. As you have probably already seen, there are great books in restored and qualified holders, give them a chance

4. Buy what you love, don't worry about future value

5. Be patient

6. Most importantly....have fun!

 

:)

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Cosmic Boy

Cosmic Boy

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I would suggest: early World's Finest, Adventure with Fless Sandman covers, early Newsboy Legion Star Spangled, more Tecs, and some Actions. I'd shy away from keys at first, till you've laid your foundation.

 

I would love to add a Star Spangled #7! I've always thought Guardian was one of the more underrated characters of the GA, and I've always been intrigued by the Newsboy Legion & Suicide Slums as a reflection of Kirby's own adolescence.

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